MLB The Show 19 Dynamic or Sequenced Gameplay?
(I have included video and suggestions in this post)
Imagine playing NBA 2k and after each basket whether made or missed there was no transition from Offense to Defense or Defense to Offense! Instead the game paused or did a quick fade and the next gameplay sequence was pre-loaded with the ball in play. Well from my perspective this describes what MLB The Shows 14-18 gameplay experience feels like.
This method makes a Baseball game’s gameplay feel repetitive, predictive and in a way scripted. As if the CPU players around you on offense or defense have no clue as too what is happening on the field in relation to your controlled player.
As a result you get energetic emotions triggered at the wrong time during gameplay I’m quite sure we have all seen this!, Runners on base that continue to run on play’s where there will be only one out come, Outfielders who run directly to the spot of the ball perfectly each time with not exception to ratings or balls bouncing off angled stadium walls. CPU players will seemingly magically know exactly where the next ball in play or out will be made.
A Broken Sequence:
If the designed sequence is broken it results in CPU players not knowing what to do next resulting in the play ending early (Ball back to Pitcher) and a breakdown in gameplay mechanics such as the tagging system. The tagging system is a huge setback because of how the overall sequenced gameplay experience is designed. Runners slow jogging into second and third base and there is nothing you or the CPU player can do about it because the play(or script) is over and has ended. This is deflating in close games.
Different Play Same Outcome:
(See video examples below)
Example A & B:
Recorded video of runner on 1st and 2nd with 1 out and pitcher at the plate. Even though the pitch sequence is different. You can tell the pitcher will automatically strike out because of the first check swing bunt attempt taken for a strike or a pass ball strike. This can be seen in video examples A and B. Each are different recordings but all yield the same pre-determined result.
Example C:
Recorded video of runner on 1st and 2nd with 1 out Pitcher at the plate. Notice how the 1st and 3rd basemen begin their running motion toward the plate before contact is made. This is a sign that the pitcher is going to make contact with the ball and complete the bunt. Whether (Rocket) 1st base side or 3rd base line.
The defensive position is pre-established and is always the same it never changes. This results in the gameplay outcome feeling sequenced and looses the dynamic gameplay element of what Baseball is about. Which should be much more dynamic depth resulting in a more realistic Baseball gameplay experience.
The example’s described above is highly likely to occur more than once in a game not to mention all of the other gameplay event’s that also feel sequenced which takes so much away from defense and offense as Baseball is a dynamic sport. These are all full game experiences inning too inning with Game Watch enabled. So nothing is skipped or missed!
Also wanted note that you can be up or down and not in a tie game at the bottom of the 11th for plays like this to occur.
Example A&B:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tTY_NdYto10" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o8LtUVJGpe0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Example C:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MrEnrXAzqgk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This Needs To STOP!
You have all seen it don’t pretend like it does not exist! It can no longer be ignored! Why!?? Notice how Eric Thames jogs into second base has no awareness of the play going on or even attempt to run to third base.
Meanwhile Ryan Braun continues toward home plate catcher sits and waits for several steps. Resulting in 1 of 3 (Broken Elbow),(Super Man Dive),(Leg first) home plate animation slides that have not been updated since MLB 14. Most likely due to the catcher or pitcher not being able to orientate themselves properly resulting in only one way for the CPU to make a tag!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Hxqk2BG7Lo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Suggested Solution:
Increase CPU runners logic for base path awareness. Again I think this is a result of the overall sequenced gameplay design. I am not sure what type of development effort it would take. But I expect to see the same base running results in MLB 19.
Ratings and Perks Need to Affect Gameplay:
Currently there is absolutely zero Cat & Mouse game between a runner on 1st base and the pitcher. The pitcher regardless of Rating or Perk will always pick you off at 1st base which is why permanently holding the left stick is the only solution to assure you will be called safe when a pitcher decides to throw over.
If and when you decide to lead off. MLB 16 tried the slow motion effect on this but that is not how to solve this problem.The slow motion effect was removed in MLB 17 and 18.
2nd Base Ironically allows you to return safely at a higher rate opposed to just holding the left stick for some unknown reason. Also no slow motion effect was included at 2nd base in MLB 16,17 and 18. So something is wrong with the programming or the system needs to be completely retooled or rewritten!
On Base Animations:
The on base runner animations have not changed since MLB 14 and are highly likely to return for MLB 19. These animations are! Runner Hand Waggle, Runner Hand On Helmet, Runner Hand On Hip,Runner Lead Off 1, Runner Lead Off 2, Step Back to bag,Slide Back to bag.
That’s 7 animations that have remained with no changes in 5 years of Gameplay on the PS4 platform! These animations will trigger for all runners regardless of who is on base. The same repetition over the course of 162 games is just draining visually and makes every base runner feel uniformed with cookie cutter animations.
Show Track
This also affects Show Track for Base Stealing. The game will show different lead off measurements. But there are only two lead off animations with the same distance (See Above) so there is no way one runner leads off further than the next! Show Track will show different distances for the same lead off position.
Suggested Solution:
Increase the amount of animations but the problem with that and most likely why they have not increased over such a long period of time in the MLB The Show series.
Is because the animations would be happening out of context of a sequenced play. Just like the emotion animations being triggered on a basic play and not matching the mood of what is actually happening on the field. They look decent but not off of a base hit single with no hitting streak on the line or something of value to the actual game on the field.
The gameplay system is built on a sequence of timed plays this becomes even more evident with “Game Watch” selected. Once that sequence ends it moves on to the next. So this is why you don’t get organic dynamic gameplay flow or that missing feeling of CPU players that do not know what is actually happening on the field, dynamic animations in context of plays on the field. For example high fives on key plays other than only in Home Run sequences.
Result No Dynamic Commentary:
This also affects commentary. I am not a developer but you can see these results in plain site when playing over the course of a full season. I stole 10 bases in a game and no mention of it. But the repetitive line “A Burner At The Plate” constantly repeats. Simply because the announcers talk at the game and are not able to specify as to what is actually going on in the game. Aside from the basic recaps and score updates.
Defensive and Tagging Breakdowns.
Playing defense leaves you with very little control before the sequence ends. In example A, I am the Short Stop. There might be a slight chances that I could double up the runner with the shallow fly ball hit to Lorenzo Cain.
Example A:
Instead I am magically removed from the 2nd base bag so no chance to make a play to interrupt the script! But the key point to note here is that Lorenzo Cain still fires a throw into me away from the 2nd base bag. I was positioned at earlier to make a play. These types of issues occur throughout the gameplay experience. This is only a small example!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wENwTUO32SI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Example B:
The pickoff play! This is one of the user controlled gameplay mechanics that has never worked since MLB 14. In this sequence the CPU runner (rarely) takes a lead from 2nd base. I input the correct user controls only to be let down by the non existing tagging system. Even though the play was close the runner would have most likely been out if there was a tag applied instead the script continues on as if nothing happened. I have never ever tagged a runner out this way since I have been playing MLB The Show!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2XSDkL6W77I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Is it too late?:
Is the current gameplay system is in too deep of a hole to see things like dynamic cpu runners on the base paths make decisions based on what is happening on the field and not just a pass ball or ball in the dirt “In The Dirt Here”? The Player Lock and RTTS experienced just needs to be scraped and needs re-thinking. I wonder how the game would respond if 9 humans were able to be defensive and offensive players.
It would be interesting to hear from anyone who plays the game with a programming background and read’s this thread. What do you think it would take to see more dynamic results on the field type gameplay? Would it take another 4 to 5 years of design and development or can something like this happen by 2020. Graphical changes can’t make up for Gameplay!
(I have included video and suggestions in this post)
Imagine playing NBA 2k and after each basket whether made or missed there was no transition from Offense to Defense or Defense to Offense! Instead the game paused or did a quick fade and the next gameplay sequence was pre-loaded with the ball in play. Well from my perspective this describes what MLB The Shows 14-18 gameplay experience feels like.
This method makes a Baseball game’s gameplay feel repetitive, predictive and in a way scripted. As if the CPU players around you on offense or defense have no clue as too what is happening on the field in relation to your controlled player.
As a result you get energetic emotions triggered at the wrong time during gameplay I’m quite sure we have all seen this!, Runners on base that continue to run on play’s where there will be only one out come, Outfielders who run directly to the spot of the ball perfectly each time with not exception to ratings or balls bouncing off angled stadium walls. CPU players will seemingly magically know exactly where the next ball in play or out will be made.
A Broken Sequence:
If the designed sequence is broken it results in CPU players not knowing what to do next resulting in the play ending early (Ball back to Pitcher) and a breakdown in gameplay mechanics such as the tagging system. The tagging system is a huge setback because of how the overall sequenced gameplay experience is designed. Runners slow jogging into second and third base and there is nothing you or the CPU player can do about it because the play(or script) is over and has ended. This is deflating in close games.
Different Play Same Outcome:
(See video examples below)
Example A & B:
Recorded video of runner on 1st and 2nd with 1 out and pitcher at the plate. Even though the pitch sequence is different. You can tell the pitcher will automatically strike out because of the first check swing bunt attempt taken for a strike or a pass ball strike. This can be seen in video examples A and B. Each are different recordings but all yield the same pre-determined result.
Example C:
Recorded video of runner on 1st and 2nd with 1 out Pitcher at the plate. Notice how the 1st and 3rd basemen begin their running motion toward the plate before contact is made. This is a sign that the pitcher is going to make contact with the ball and complete the bunt. Whether (Rocket) 1st base side or 3rd base line.
The defensive position is pre-established and is always the same it never changes. This results in the gameplay outcome feeling sequenced and looses the dynamic gameplay element of what Baseball is about. Which should be much more dynamic depth resulting in a more realistic Baseball gameplay experience.
The example’s described above is highly likely to occur more than once in a game not to mention all of the other gameplay event’s that also feel sequenced which takes so much away from defense and offense as Baseball is a dynamic sport. These are all full game experiences inning too inning with Game Watch enabled. So nothing is skipped or missed!
Also wanted note that you can be up or down and not in a tie game at the bottom of the 11th for plays like this to occur.
Example A&B:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tTY_NdYto10" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o8LtUVJGpe0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Example C:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MrEnrXAzqgk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This Needs To STOP!
You have all seen it don’t pretend like it does not exist! It can no longer be ignored! Why!?? Notice how Eric Thames jogs into second base has no awareness of the play going on or even attempt to run to third base.
Meanwhile Ryan Braun continues toward home plate catcher sits and waits for several steps. Resulting in 1 of 3 (Broken Elbow),(Super Man Dive),(Leg first) home plate animation slides that have not been updated since MLB 14. Most likely due to the catcher or pitcher not being able to orientate themselves properly resulting in only one way for the CPU to make a tag!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Hxqk2BG7Lo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Suggested Solution:
Increase CPU runners logic for base path awareness. Again I think this is a result of the overall sequenced gameplay design. I am not sure what type of development effort it would take. But I expect to see the same base running results in MLB 19.
Ratings and Perks Need to Affect Gameplay:
Currently there is absolutely zero Cat & Mouse game between a runner on 1st base and the pitcher. The pitcher regardless of Rating or Perk will always pick you off at 1st base which is why permanently holding the left stick is the only solution to assure you will be called safe when a pitcher decides to throw over.
If and when you decide to lead off. MLB 16 tried the slow motion effect on this but that is not how to solve this problem.The slow motion effect was removed in MLB 17 and 18.
2nd Base Ironically allows you to return safely at a higher rate opposed to just holding the left stick for some unknown reason. Also no slow motion effect was included at 2nd base in MLB 16,17 and 18. So something is wrong with the programming or the system needs to be completely retooled or rewritten!
On Base Animations:
The on base runner animations have not changed since MLB 14 and are highly likely to return for MLB 19. These animations are! Runner Hand Waggle, Runner Hand On Helmet, Runner Hand On Hip,Runner Lead Off 1, Runner Lead Off 2, Step Back to bag,Slide Back to bag.
That’s 7 animations that have remained with no changes in 5 years of Gameplay on the PS4 platform! These animations will trigger for all runners regardless of who is on base. The same repetition over the course of 162 games is just draining visually and makes every base runner feel uniformed with cookie cutter animations.
Show Track
This also affects Show Track for Base Stealing. The game will show different lead off measurements. But there are only two lead off animations with the same distance (See Above) so there is no way one runner leads off further than the next! Show Track will show different distances for the same lead off position.
Suggested Solution:
Increase the amount of animations but the problem with that and most likely why they have not increased over such a long period of time in the MLB The Show series.
Is because the animations would be happening out of context of a sequenced play. Just like the emotion animations being triggered on a basic play and not matching the mood of what is actually happening on the field. They look decent but not off of a base hit single with no hitting streak on the line or something of value to the actual game on the field.
The gameplay system is built on a sequence of timed plays this becomes even more evident with “Game Watch” selected. Once that sequence ends it moves on to the next. So this is why you don’t get organic dynamic gameplay flow or that missing feeling of CPU players that do not know what is actually happening on the field, dynamic animations in context of plays on the field. For example high fives on key plays other than only in Home Run sequences.
Result No Dynamic Commentary:
This also affects commentary. I am not a developer but you can see these results in plain site when playing over the course of a full season. I stole 10 bases in a game and no mention of it. But the repetitive line “A Burner At The Plate” constantly repeats. Simply because the announcers talk at the game and are not able to specify as to what is actually going on in the game. Aside from the basic recaps and score updates.
Defensive and Tagging Breakdowns.
Playing defense leaves you with very little control before the sequence ends. In example A, I am the Short Stop. There might be a slight chances that I could double up the runner with the shallow fly ball hit to Lorenzo Cain.
Example A:
Instead I am magically removed from the 2nd base bag so no chance to make a play to interrupt the script! But the key point to note here is that Lorenzo Cain still fires a throw into me away from the 2nd base bag. I was positioned at earlier to make a play. These types of issues occur throughout the gameplay experience. This is only a small example!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wENwTUO32SI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Example B:
The pickoff play! This is one of the user controlled gameplay mechanics that has never worked since MLB 14. In this sequence the CPU runner (rarely) takes a lead from 2nd base. I input the correct user controls only to be let down by the non existing tagging system. Even though the play was close the runner would have most likely been out if there was a tag applied instead the script continues on as if nothing happened. I have never ever tagged a runner out this way since I have been playing MLB The Show!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2XSDkL6W77I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Is it too late?:
Is the current gameplay system is in too deep of a hole to see things like dynamic cpu runners on the base paths make decisions based on what is happening on the field and not just a pass ball or ball in the dirt “In The Dirt Here”? The Player Lock and RTTS experienced just needs to be scraped and needs re-thinking. I wonder how the game would respond if 9 humans were able to be defensive and offensive players.
It would be interesting to hear from anyone who plays the game with a programming background and read’s this thread. What do you think it would take to see more dynamic results on the field type gameplay? Would it take another 4 to 5 years of design and development or can something like this happen by 2020. Graphical changes can’t make up for Gameplay!
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